ARMS AND THE MAN MADE EASY

        ARMS AND THE MAN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS     

                                                                                                                                        

                                

Where was Raina when the mother entered the room?

Raina was on the balcony of the room, watching the beauty of the night. She found the beauty of the night 

romantic heightened by the view of the snow-capped Balkan Mountains in the distance.

Why was the mother surprised when she entered Raina’s bedroom?

The mother entered the bedroom of her daughter, Raina, to share her sense of euphoria with her by giving 

her a piece of great news. She was told by the maid servant Louka that her daughter was in her bed as she 

had probably fallen asleep. Accordingly she had gone to her bed. But when she did not find her there, she

 asked aloud where she was. Hearing her voice, Raina looked inside the room. When her mother saw her on

the balcony on such a chilly night, she was surprised. It was unusual for her to be there, running the risk of 

suffering due to exposure to the chill of the night.

What did Raina tell her mother about her being on the balcony?

Raina told her mother that she was on the balcony, watching the beauty of the stars of the night.

Was Raina exposed to the chill as she stood on the balcony?

As Raina stood on the balcony, she was not exposed to the chill of the night as she had protected herself by 

wearing an expensive woolen cloak.

What was Raina’s state of mind as she stood on the balcony?

When Raina was on the balcony of her bedroom, she found the beauty of the night romantic. She thought 

that her own beauty was also a part of it.

When was Raina’s reverie broken?

Raina’s reverie or dream was broken by the hasty entry of her mother as she wanted to give her some good 

news.

What was the news given by Raina’s mother?

Raina’s mother gave her the news that Sergius had taken the decision to lead a cavalry charge on his own 

defying the orders of the Russian officers. On account of this decision he had been able to lead the Bulgarian 

army to victory. He was the man who had led the charge and in the process routed the Serbian soldiers,

emerging as the idol of the entire regiment.

What was Raina’s reaction on hearing the news of the achievement of Sergius?

When Raina heard about the news of Sergius leading the Bulgarian army to victory by his heroic cavalry 

charge, she was beside herself with joy. In order to give expression to her feeling of joy, she pulled her

mother down on the couch and smothered her with kisses.

Why did Raina’s mother admonish her daughter?

Raina’s mother admonished her daughter saying that she had kept a hero like Sergius waiting for a full year 

before being engaged to him. She further told her that if she had a drop of Bulgarian blood coursing in her 

veins, she should apologize to him on his return.

What doubts did Raina have about Sergius?

Raina told her mother that she had some doubts about the notions of heroism they harboured. She said that 

she had a nagging suspicion that their ideals of heroism were probably inspired by the reading of the works 

of the romantic poets Byron and Pushkin. She further traced it to their visits to the opera at Bucharest or

their dramatic pursuits. She doubted Sergius’ heroism to such an extent that she tended to think that he might

perform poorly beside the brave Russian officers. She said that such thoughts occurred to her when Sergius 

embraced him before leaving for the battlefield.

What did Louka tell the mother and the daughter a little later?

Louka, the maid, told them that the runaway Serbian soldiers were being chased through the pass and there 

might be shooting in the street. She therefore wanted to ensure that the shutters were properly bolted. When 

the mother and the daughter heard of this, they jumped to their feet with consternation.

How did Raina react to the news given by Louka?

Raina wished that her countrymen were not so cruel in killing their enemies. She said that there was no glory 

in killing fugitives who were really miserable without being in a condition to protect themselves. This way she 

reacted to the news with pity and compassion for the Serbian soldiers, though they were their enemies.

What idea do we form of Raina from her reaction to the news given by Louka?

Raina’s reaction to the news given by Louka that the Bulgarian soldiers were in hot pursuit of the defeated 

and fleeing Serbian soldiers running through the pass to enter the town, gives us an idea of the way she can 

have compassion even on the enemies without the slightest trace of malice. This also seems to prepare us for 

the way she is going to have pity on the enemy who is going to enter in her bedroom to hide himself from the 

pursuing Bulgarian enemies.

What was the appearance of the maid Louka?

Louka was a pretty girl who had an element of defiance in her disposition. She did not care for Raina and 

though she feared Catherine, she seemed to take liberty with her as far as she could go without taking the 

risk of losing her job.